Main Entry:

en·ti·ty

Pronunciation:

\ˈen-tə-tē, ˈe-nə-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural en·ti·ties

Etymology:

Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ent-, ens existing thing, from coined present participle of esse to be — more at is

Date:

1596

1 a: being, existence ; especially : independent, separate, or self-contained existence b: the existence of a thing as contrasted with its attributes2: something that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality3: an organization (as a business or governmental unit) that has an identity separate from those of its members